The fact is that Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony ANYWHERE from not only legally purchasing guns, but from legally owning any ("legally," as such term is defined by our unconsitutional system of justice, that is - and They have the ability to enforce those laws, no matter how patently illegal). As such, our hero will be forever debarred the ownership and use of arms if convicted, even if he moves to a different state - and THAT is a true crime. The only thing that Hale DeMar will be able to do "legally" is to buy an antique gun (i.e. manufactured prior to 1899) because they are not defined as "firearms" under the 1968 Gun Control Act (which is followed by most states). Of course, he can always get one via a private purchase, but if he's caught with a gun after a felony conviction, he'll be serving some heavy time in prison.
Then to hell with the law.
I agree with your sentiments. I can assure you that if I were a convicted felon released to live my life, I'd be of the view that I had paid my debt to society (or, in the case of the myriad victimless crimes now labeled as felonies, I'd think that society had f'd me and that I was due something back), and would seek to arm myself in self-defense. Probably, I'd start with a pre-1899 gun, but I'm sure that I'd eventually graduate to a newer toy. My life is worth more to me than virtually anything else, with only the lives of close family members (not necessarily including various in-laws :>) ) or VERY serious principles being worth more. I have, do and will do anything necessary to preserve it. After all, being tried by 12 beats getting carried by six any day.